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My New Pseudo-Shopping Obession: Silent Auctions

Hi Lovelies! Kirk here, to discuss a little alternative-shopping secret I recently got hooked on: auctions. I’m not talking about the intense gavel-pounding, nail-biting auction-house scenes, but the cool, laid-back silent auctions that take place at charity events around the globe. It’s like eBay live but better because

Besides offering up an opportunity to score a bunch of amazing items at a fraction of their real price, the proceeds go to good cause and you get to take part in an interesting, century-long buying tradition. (For instance, did you know that the auction process dates back to 500BC? Or that after the French Revolution, auctions moved into taverns and coffeehouses to sell art and the first auction catalogs were produced? And that the world's oldest auction house is Stockholm Auction House founded in 1674? Well now, if you’re on Jeopardy and there happens to be an auction category, you’re set.)

Model Beverly Johnson, designer Michael Bastian and Tim Gunn.

I picked up all of this handy auction info last week at the Gay Men’s Health Crisis annual Fashion Forward fundraiser hosted by Mr. Make-It-Work himself, Project Runway’s Tim Gunn. The event showcased six of New York designers: Ports 1961 by Tia Cibani, Michael Bastian, Tim Hamilton, Betsey Johnson, John Varvatos and Charles Nolan. And, the chic event started with a silent auction whose proceeds went to benefit the GMHC.

A few of the silent auction offerings...

The night’s silent auction offerings included spa treatment gift certificates, shopping sprees, art, jewelry and lots of designer originals one would never find at any mall or boutique. I decided to focus a very cool Etro weekend bag from and a getaway to Honduras—to things I’d love but that aren’t exactly in my budget these days.

My favorite look from the evening's runway show.

After doing some strategic calculations I jotted down my bid just seconds before the auctions closed (a good strategy for making sure that your bid wins--or so I thought.) I walked away, daydreaming of my vacay and sure I’d out-maneuvered other bidders, only to find out that at the last minute, I was outbid! So sadly, I won’t be sending you a post card from Honduras, but you will catch me hitting up other auctions for some philanthropic shopping fun. ---Kirk Shannon-Butts

Ever gone to and bid at a silent auction? Is it thrilling or nerve-wracking experience? Do you tend to bid/spend more or less because it goes to a good cause? Have a good “I got X for a super-low price of Z!” auction story? Share!